transcurrents

Jaffna University becomes flashpoint of tension

January 5th, 2006

The Jaffna University or Yarlpanap Palgalaikkazhagham has become a volatile flashpoint of tension in the on going conflict between security personnel of the state and the younger generation of the district. While “Intifada” type attacks continue to be directed against Police and armed forces in the peninsula the University precincts and environs in Thirunelvely became the battle ground for direct clashes. With even the Vice – chancellor and members of the academic staff becoming victims the university authorities have decided to close down the campus till January 2nd next year.

The Jaffna university has played a prominent role in the politics of the region from its inception in 1974. Various undergraduate generations have come and gone in the past. [Jaffna Campus Heroes' Memorial unveiled - Pic TamilNet]

Each generation has had its own brand of politics fashioned according to prevalent conditions.

In the late seventies the Jaffna university students played a pivotal role in the emergence of the Tamil United Liberation Front and its 1977 electoral victory on a platform seeking a mandate for Tamil eelam.Yet in the the early eighties , Jaffna undergraduates were in the forefront of those revolting against the perceived betrayal of the TULF in accepting the compromise of District Development Councils.

The late seventies and early eighties also saw the Jaffna campus being a virtual safe house for some leading members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The LTTE then was in its embryonic stage of development. The very same Jafna campus exploded in protests against LTTE hegemonism in the mid – eighties over incidents like the Vijitharan killing, Rajaharan abduction etc. this was when Jaffna was being controlled by Sathasivampillai Krishnakumar alias “Col” Kittu. The late eighties saw the Jaffna campus transforming once again into a clandestine support base for the tigers during the Indian army occupation of Jaffna.

The nineties saw the Jaffna university developing pockets of resistance to the tigers who were controlling all aspects of civilian life then in Jaffna.The LTTE cracked down on a number of undergrads and young graduates in an attempt to stifle all dissent and suppress all protest. It would have been difficult to predict the future had that course of events continued.

There was however a dramatic reversal of the situation in 1995 when the LTTE withdrew to the Wanni and the Sri Lankan army took over the Jaffna district. Once again rebellion began within University ranks to the dominant forces in power. The army presence was resented. Jaffna university students played a crucial role in the Tamil resurgence movement and staging of “pongu Thamizh” (Tamil upsurge) demonstrations.

Though Jaffna undergraduate politics has undergone different changes at different times there have been three constant, underlying threads. Firstly a fearless spirit of defiant opposition to the powerful forces dominating Jaffna. Secondly an inherent consciousness of opposing or rebelling against perceived oppression and injustice. Thirdly a consistent pattern of being in the vanguard against threats or potential threats to the well – being of the Tamil people. It is against this backdrop that one has to view all “tensions” within and outside the Jaffna campus.

Two significant developments began after the election of Mahinda Rajapakse as President and appointment of Sarath Fonsela as military commander. One was the launching of a Palestine – style “Intifada” protest campaign by Jaffna students against the intrusive presence of the armed forces. The second was the escalation of the shadow war in Jaffna where a series of grenade, handbomb and landmine attacks against Police and military personnel in Jaffna. Though the LTTE did not play any overt role the tigers were suspected of providing covert logistical and moral support to the attacks and protests.

The landmine attacks on army patrols saw the security forces deploying additional personnel in key roads, junctions and zones. The University and its environs became strategically important. the university was seen as a hotbed of intrige and revolt against the pervasive army presence. Besides the administrative office of the International Tamil student federation was in the vicinity. The International federation controlled by Tamil National alliance Parliamentarian Selvakumar Gajendran alias “Kuthirai” Gajendran. This organization is regarded as a tiger front and being the livewire behind student and youth protests in Jaffna.

The increase of search posts, sentry posts and the deployment of additional soldiers in the University zone led predictably to confrontation and tension. With most soldiers being ypong men and the undergraduates also being young men tempers got frayed on both sides. Undergraduates resented this enhanced security intrusion into their daily life. There were many arguments. The soldiers reacted with assaults and tearing up of identity cards. Undergraduates began demonstrating. Kokkuvil technical College students also began demonstrating.

The undergraduates in association with the secondary school student consortioum called for a widespread hartal in Jaffna. One of the demands was that security posts in the University area should be shut down and deployed additional soldiers withdrawn. The protest demonstration created much tension and a few incidents of stone – throwing . Soldiers fired in the air. The situation did not deteriorate further at that point of time.

The prevailing “stand – off” situation underwent a drastic change on account of the rape and murder incident at Pungudutheevu. A 20 year old Tamil woman Eliyathamby Dharmini from the 7th ward area was sexually violated, murdered and thrown into an abandoned well close to a navy camp. It was widely alleged that she had been raped and murdered by naval personnel. When protest demonstrations demanding justice were held the navy responded with force tear gassing and beating up demonstrators. A few were arrested. The Navy at Pungudutheevu also prevented people from attending the funeral.

It was in this atmosphere that a group of undergraduates in three vehicles started off from the campus at about 4 pm on Sunday Dec 18th to Pungudutheevu . Gajendran MP also accompanied the u’grads. They were stopped near the Parameshwara junction by soldiers who refused to let them proceed further. The students refused to turn back and a heated argument ensued. At this point of time stones were thrown at the soldiers from a spot behind an ice cream parlour nearby.

The soldiers then began assaulting the students. they also fired at the Ice cream parlor building. The students also retaliated and soon there was a b=violent melee on. With more undergraduates streaming out from campus precincts the soldiers began calling for reinforcements.Soon a large contingent of soldiers in armoured cars, armoured personnel carriers, jeeps, trucks and motor cycles arrived at the scene. Unarmed students were brutally assaulted with clubs, rods, batons and rifle butts. Firing was done towards the ground and in the air. The students retreated into the campus. at least 25 ugrads were injured. The Ice cream parlour employee was also severely injured.

The soldiers then took full control of the area outside campus. One consequence of increased security deployment in the campus environs was the “unofficial’ sealing off of the one km stretch of the Jaffna – Palaly road between Thirunelvely nd Kantharmadam junctions. No one was travelled to go along the road stretch. As a result students and residents were put to much hardship being unable to go out . People could not return to their homes. A number of civilians were also assaulted.. Soldiers also blocked all access roads to the campus area.

The International students federation office in thee vicinity was also affected.Soldiers entered premises and wrecked the interior. The “Godfather” Gajendran in typical tiger fashion was nowhere to be seen as students bore the brunt of the attack. Army men also fired towards the entrance of the university campus. Movement to and from the campus was severely curtailed. It was almost as if the “university people ” were under “house arrest”.

Academics including vice – chancellor Dr. Mohanthas and many students could not get out from campus. The Vice – Chancellor was on the phone speaking to army authorities explaining the predicament. Finally at about 8 pm the soldiers began moving away from the campus environs and Parameshwara junction to Aalady junction and Post Box junction. The university students and staff moved out from campus at at about 9 pm.

On the following day TNA Parliamentarian Gajendran urged University authorities and student representatives to go out in procession to protest against the previous days assault and to submit a petition to the Monitoring Mission at Nallur. The academic staff was initially reluctant but Gajendran succeeded in “persuading” them to do so with all the “power” of his arguments. Vice – Chancellor Dr, Mohanthas informed the SLMM and army authorities of their intention. He informed them clearly that it was a strictly non – violent exercise.

Over 2500 students and academic staff led by the vice – chancellor started out in procession at 10. 45 am. Gajendran also participated. The procession commenced from the campus precints toeards the Parameshwara or uiniversity junction and then proceeded along Palaly road. When it reached the Central nursing home junction the procession was forced to stop because the road was blocked. A massive army contingent including armoured cars and tanks with field artillery was stationed there. The processionists were asked to turn back.

The Vice – Chancellor and senior academics went up to the officers and informed them of their intentions. They pointed out that it was a non – violent protest and that suppressing it through force could prove counterproductive. The security men would have none of it and insisted they turn back. The university people stood their ground and kept on pleading that the army should allow them to proceed.

A group of soldiers then came forward menacingly and began firing on the ground. Pieces of chipped tar and stones began flying about due to the hail of gunfire. The academics including the Vice – Chancellor began lying on the ground to protect themselves. The soldiers also began firing in the air. The students at this point began chanting slogans against the army. The soldiers however let loose a torrent of assaults.

The academics and others lying prostate on the ground were kicked, ytampled and assaulted. This included the V- C. Bursts of gunfire were now directed against the unarmed processionists too. The helpless students and terrified academic staff began running for safety. Realising that none of the processionists possessed firearms or grenades the soldiers waded in courageously assaulting students and staff without restraint. The procession was dispersed brutally with processionists scattering.

A senior lecturer Prinpanathan and five students received gunshot injuries and were admitted to hospital. Perinpanathan was shot in the thigh.The Arts Faculty Dean Prof. Sivachandran and 19 other students were admitted to hospital for assault injuries. Around 100 others received minor assault injuries and received medical treatment. This included the V- C, some lecturers and Parliamentarian Gajendran. The encounter took about 90 minutes.

The soldiers like a conquering army took control of the Palaly road stretch for hours. Tanks and armoured cars were mounted in strategic points. It was as if the army was expecting an armed invasion or issuing a challenge for a fight. But there were no takers. After several hours of posturing the bulk of soldiers withdrew no doubt very please about their performance. The beleaguered army in Jaffna had scored a magnificient “victory” in Jaffna unleashing violence on unarmed undergraduates and academic staff and crushing a non – violent procession.

The following Tuesday saw the university students declaring a boycott of lectures in protest against the previous day incidents. Nevertheless a large number of u’grads were present in the campus precincts. some students were standing near the main entrance on the road when a jeep with five cops from the Kopay Police station drew up. The policemen tried to chase students away. Infuriated students encircled the jeep and began thumping on the vehicle. Soldiers from nearby Parameshwara junction and Kaladdy junction hurried to the scene firing in the air. The students ran into the campus while the Police jeep sped away.

A larger contingent of troops arrived shortly thereafter and entered the campus in violation of accepted norms. They began firing tear gas cannisters at the groups of students standing by. Firing also commenced. Students began running inwards for safety. Soldiers went on the rampage moving in all directions within the campus and assauled anyone they got hold of. Two groups of soldiers took up positions near the Kailasapathy auditorium and Library premises and fired volleys. After a while they went outside the campus premises and continued firing. They challenged the students to come out and fight.

Finally they went way leaving hundreds of empty cannisters and cartridges behind as souveneirs for the students. A lecturer Manickavasagam Ilampiraiyan and undergraduate Gowrisenthooran were assaulted and taken away by the soldiers to the Parameshwara junction post. Ilampiraiyan is the brother of Vavuniya district Judge M. Ilancheliyan. Some academic staff members went to the army officers and requested the release of the arrested persons. It was refused. Later both were handed over to the Jaffna Police.

The boycott of classes by students continued. With the army entering university premises the minor staff employees got frightened about their safety . Their union had an emergency meeting and decided to stop work till their security was ensured. The academic staff also followed suit. Representations made by the Vice – Chancellor to the President, UNiversity Grants Commission and Army commander met with no proper response.Under the circumstances a decision was taken to shut the university till Jan 2nd in the interests of the syudents and university staff and employees. Efforts would be taken to procure effective guarantees of safety during this interregnum.

Meanwhile undergraduates staged a meeting in a very emotional state. It was resolved there that resistance to the army occupation should continue in the coming days. It was also resolved that a “request” be made to the LTTE to provide arms training to undergraduates. If there is a prompt response by the tigers to this request the consequences could be very bad indeed. The Jaffna university has about 6000 students. In a possible future scenario at least 10% or 600 could get arms training and become a peoplles force or civilian militia. Also at least 60 or 10% of these could become full – fledged tigers.

The soldiers in Jaffna are not equipped or trained to handle the new challenges arisising in the region. Using brute force is not the only way to deal with this problem. But then neither Mahinda Rajapakse nor Sarath Fonseka possess the mature wisdom to recognize this. Fonseka has changed the military hierarchy in Jaffna. Responsible officers have been replaced with” gung ho” type officers. With these men at the helm in the periphery and the centre the future is going to be extremely bleak. The armed forces have played right into the hands of the tigers through the university fiasco.The consequences will prove tragically costly.

Entry Filed under: MinorMatters